Mister Rogers' Neighborhood

[ScioAgapeOmnis]

Anybody ever watch Mr. Rogers as a kid, or have their kids watch it? I never have, but ran into this:

_http://digg.com/comics_animation/xkcd_temper

Video of him defending PBS in Senate:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yXEuEUQIP3Q

From the little I've seen of him, he seems like he may be a genuinely caring man, indeed it would be a rare thing on tv. Here is a comment I thought was interesting and made some good points, despite lack of knowledge about 911, although the point about 911 was still valid in principle, osit.



Comment was taken from:
_http://www.metafilter.com/61699/Neighborhood-of-MakeBelieve#1714437

You know, it's quite a strange thing. The single most common adjective applied to Mister Rogers in this and other thread is the word 'creepy'?

I think I know why he strikes people as creepy. It's because his isn't at all 'cool'. There is no cynicism, no irony, no condescension in him at all. He is not simply unhip, he is ahip. And this is what people calling him creepy are picking up on.

We are conditioned to traffic in cool. You have to look cool, not look nice or distinguished or presentable, but cool. But it's all so generic. Everyone seems to have the same new haircut that no one 5 years ago had. We all have the same cynical politics.

Something about the counterculture from the 60's is still with us but it has been co-opted into a form of synchronized periodic obsolescence and mockery of that which came before. There is something fundamentally anti-intellectual about this, but I can't quite articulate it. There some element of arrogance there. Like everyone is perpetually 18.

Cool is America's code, and I really do think this is an American problem, because cool is propagated mainly though mass media, and there is no greater media saturated culture on earth than America's. Will I look cool wearing this? Will I sound cool saying this, or reading this or doing this. We're committing mass murder in other parts of the world because somebody figured out how to make violence cool and tough-talk politics cool, and then they combined the too. Swagger is cool. Cowboys and fighter jets and JDAMs and war porn are cool. So that's what we have. We are the Kingdom of Whatever.

Of course he hated ad-libbing on camera, because ad-libbing on camera is inexcusably lazy. It's what you do so you don't have to write or rehearse. Actors and comedians and musicians improvise as a way of living within a moment that is in some way artificial. A method actor may improvise because he is trying to become the character, but he isn't the character to begin with. A Jazz musician improvises because while the structure and the changes are the same, and the audience is familiar with them, the particular moment of performance is not, and that has it's own emotional context.

Mister Rogers was the same guy, so why improvise? The show wasn't about his character, it was about the kids, os you have to work out ahead of time how best to communicate with the child viewers. Everything was planned.

He talks slowly not because kids are dumb but because as studies have shown, children's brains are considerably more active than adults', and they need time to return to the original thought communicated to them after branching off in multitudinous directions.

The puppets? Puppets are good because they are considerably smaller than the human actors around them, and thus kids perceive them as safe. They look like toys. Contrast this with a giant seven foot all yellow bird, and ask yourself which inspired more nightmares.

The show is glacially paced and had the same structure with the same things happening in the same order because children respond to structure and routine is a source of comfort, particularly in children whose lives were anything but predictable.

Maybe that's what cool is - withdrawing from the context of one's life into an artificial one, in which the cool perceives itself to be somehow outside of reality, looking in and commenting on it. But this isn't insight, it's not reflecting on the world. It's standing at the edge of the world sniping into it.

Mister Rogers isn't creepy. CSI with is gruesome bloody corpses every Thursday at promptly 9:14 EST is creepy. Thirty million people looking at that and snaking on chips while they watch is creepy.

Listening to some rapper sing about his genitals and sexual conquests is creepy. Approach crowds of people and talk to them about the aroused state of your genitals, and watch how quickly you end up in a squad car. But somehow it's ok on TV because...why exactly?

Watching a war unfold on television in near real time is beyond creepy. It is obscene. You watch people screaming over their dead loved ones, and then you turn it off and go have dinner, or go to bed? No empathy, no revulsion. What the hell kind of civilization is this?

You know, I watched some 9-11 footage on youtube the other day (because I'm a masochist, apparently), and it occured to me that in the 6 years since it happened, I've never once heard anyone say "I'm sorry for those people who are so consumed by hate for people they've never met and places they've never been. What can we do to lift that burden from them?"

Because that isn't cool. That's being a pussy (or a fag if you are on FreeRepublic). There's no posture to be struck there, no pose. It's something that has to be done in earnest, and that's what's been lacking in the American culture.

Think about the Pope, entering the cell to confront his assassin. He forgave him, we all know that. But can you imagine the conversation? Can you imagine either someone being so perceptive that they can reach into a perfect stranger and expose their soul, or someone whose personality is so shallow that their emotions or ideologies are so shallow that any attempt to probe their depth displaces them entirely?

Mr. Rogers may have been the last earnest man.

I know that he's no longer around, but could that be a good tv show to obtain for our kids to watch?

 

[Ca.]

Quote from SAO Today at 11:35:13 AM »

Anybody ever watch Mr. Rogers as a kid, or have their kids watch it? I never have, but ran into this:

I found a few accommodations Mr. Roger received in his career for being uncool and creepy as those whom thought he was something he was not. He always had such a gentle and patiant approach toward education for the younger generations. Thanks SAO.

From Family Education for contribution's to humanity. www.fci.org

Fred Rogers Awards and Degrees

Awards (highlights from a list of more than 200 awards)

2003 Medallion XII - (2003) awarded to Fred Rogers and Family Communications by the Children's Theater Foundation of America (New Orleans, LA)

"Be More Caring" Award - (2003) PBS "Be More" Award presented to Joanne Rogers in memory of Fred Rogers in recognition of Fred Rogers' extraordinary commitment to communicating, nurturing and caring for children through Mister Rogers' Neighborhood (Alexandria, VA)

Resolution by the City of Chicago, IL - (2003) Fred Rogers became a national symbol for treating children with patience, tranquility and hope (Chicago, IL)

National Association of Elementary School Principals - (2003) (awarded posthumously) Distinguished Service to Children Award (Alexandria, VA)

MISTERROGERS - (2003) naming of minor planet for Fred Rogers. This special recognition award was presented by the Carnegie Science Center (Pittsburgh, PA)

Grand Marshal-Tournament of Roses Parade - (2003) one of three Grand Marshals for the 2003 Rose Bowl Parade (Pasadena, CA)

Presidential Medal of Freedom - (2002) presented to Fred Rogers by President George W. Bush--the highest civilian honor one can receive (Washington, DC)

American Legion Auxiliary Award - (2002) presented to Fred Rogers by the American Legion--the American Legion Humanitarian Award (Indianapolis, IN)

Elsie Award - (2002) presented to Fred Rogers by WQED-TV in recognition of extraordinary compassion and outstanding community service (Pittsburgh, PA)

WHEEL Award - (2002) first annual award presented to Fred Rogers by the Wheelock Family Theatre for his lifetime of enhancing families and children's lives through the arts (Boston, MA)

Common Wealth Award of Distinguished Service - (2002) presented by the PNC Financial Group to Fred Rogers, who has enriched and advanced humanity through his exceptional lifetime achievements for Mass Communications through MISTER ROGERS' NEIGHBORHOOD (Wilmington, DE)

Youth Caring for Others - (2002) presented to Fred Rogers for the growth, enrichment and development of youth and their families (Warwick, RI)

NEA Foundation Award - (2001) awarded to Fred Rogers for outstanding service to Public Education (Washington, DC)

Character First Award - (2001) awarded to Fred Rogers by the Burbank International Children's Film Festival for his ability to communicate with young children and their families through television and dramatizing developmental and psychological issues (Burbank, CA)

Lydia's Place Appreciation Award - (2001) awarded to Fred Rogers in recognition of outstanding service to the Pittsburgh community and for his compassionate understanding of the needs of children (Pittsburgh, PA)

James Bryant Conant Award - (2001) awarded to Fred Rogers by the Education Commission of the States for Outstanding Service to Education (Philadelphia, PA)

Strong Kids Award - (2001) awarded to Fred Rogers by the YMCA of America during its 150th Anniversary Celebration (New Orleans, LA)

Mental Health Award - (2001) awarded to Fred Rogers by "Psychology Today" magazine for helping to improve mental health through his advocacy for children

The Christopher's - (2001) presented to Fred Rogers (New York, NY)

APTS Award - (2001) presented to Fred Rogers by the American Public Television Stations for his dedication to public broadcasting (Washington, DC)

Fred Rogers Award - (2001) presented the first annual award to Fred Rogers by PBS Ready to Learn for his outstanding contribution to children's educational television (Washington D.C.)

Legacy Award - (2001) presented to Fred Rogers by the Greater Pittsburgh Psychological Association for his contributions to the psychological welfare of children everywhere (Pittsburgh, PA)

Blue Ribbon Award - (2001) presented to Family Communications by Family Resources (Pittsburgh, PA)

Honorable Legion of the Sword - (2001) presented to Fred Rogers by the Patton Society (Cleveland, OH)

Living Legend Award - (2000) presented to Fred Rogers by The Library of Congress for enriching our national heritage

Presidential Medal of Honor - (2000) presented to Fred Rogers by Saint Vincent College (Latrobe, PA)

National Exceptional Service Award - (2000) - presented to Fred Rogers by The Salvation Army (Pittsburgh, PA)

Emmy - (1999) - Outstanding Performer in a Children's Series - presented to Fred Rogers by the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences.

Television Hall of Fame Award - (1999) - presented to Fred Rogers by the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences for outstanding contribution in the arts, sciences or management of television, based upon either cumulative contributions and achievements or a singular and extraordinary contribution or achievement.

The Annenberg Public Policy Center Award - (1998) - presented to Fred Rogers at the National Press Club, Washington, DC for distinguished lifetime contribution to children and television.

Hollywood Walk of Fame - (1998) - presented to Fred Rogers on the occasion of the placement of his star in the Hollywood Walk of Fame by the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce.

Lifetime Achievement Award - (1997) - presented to Fred Rogers by the Television Critics Association. (Los Angeles, California)

Emmy - (1997) - Lifetime Achievement Award - presented to Fred Rogers by the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences for outstanding achievement in the arts, sciences or management of television which is either accumulative in nature or so extraordinary and universal as to be beyond the scope of the Emmy Awards in the established categories and areas of achievement.

Chairman's Award NATPE (National Association of Television Program Executives) - (1997) - presented to Fred Rogers whose work defines excellence in television for children.

The Christophers - (1995) - recognize and celebrate Fred Rogers' creativity and commitment as a glowing example of the Christopher spirit of hope at work in our world.

Eleanor Roosevelt Val-Kill Medal (Hyde Park, New York) - (1994) - presented to Fred Rogers. This award is given to individuals who have made a significant contribution to society in such fields as the arts, education, citizenship, community services and other humanitarian concerns.

George Foster Peabody Award - (1992) - University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, Henry W. Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communications - presented to Fred Rogers for Significant and Meritorious Achievement.

Library Hero Award - (1991) - The American Library Association, Chicago, Illinois - presented to Fred Rogers for his leadership and creativity in using television to encourage young children to read and use libraries.

Honorary Fellow Award - (1989) - American Academy of Pediatrics, Chicago, Illinois - Fred Rogers has been elected Honorary Fellow of this Academy, founded to foster and stimulate interest in pediatrics and in all aspects of the work for the welfare of children.

National Association of State Directors of Migrant Education Award - (1987) - Twenty First National Migrant Education Conference - presented to Fred Rogers in appreciation for his outstanding and dedicated service towards the improvement of the lives of all children in this nation.

Special Recognition Award - (1986) - National Association of State Directors of Special Education, Washington, D.C. - presented to Fred Rogers for his contributions to enhancing public attitudes toward individuals with disabilities.

Distinguished Service Award - (1985) - From Spina Bifida Association of America, Chicago, Illinois - presented to Fred Rogers in recognition for outstanding work in fostering constructive attitudes toward disabilities among children whether they or others are disabled. In appreciation for encouraging children to feel unique and to put disabilities in a constructive perspective.

Emmy Awarded to Fred Rogers - (1985) - Outstanding Writing in Children's Series.

Emmy Awarded to Fred Rogers - (1980) - Outstanding Individual Achievement in Children's Programming -- "Mister Rogers Goes to School."

Honorary Membership in the American Hospital Association - (1975) - awarded to Fred Rogers for noteworthy contributions to the hospital field and health care.

George Foster Peabody Award - (l969) - University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, Henry W. Grady School of Journalism - presented to Fred Rogers for excellence in children's programming.

Honorary Degrees

(2003) - (awarded posthumously) Union College, Schenectady, New York

(2003) - (awarded posthumously) Seton Hill University, Greensburg, Pennsylvania

(2003) - (awarded posthumously) Roanoke College, Salem, Virginia

(2002) - Wheelock College, Boston, Massachusetts

(2002) - Dartmouth College, Hanover, New Hampshire

(2002) - Chatham College, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

(2001) - Marquette University, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

(2001) - Middlebury College, Middlebury, Vermont

(2000) - Old Dominion University, Norfolk, Virginia.

(1999) - Marist College, Poughkeepsie, New York.

(1999) - Westminster Choir College of Rider University Princeton, New Jersey.

(1998) - Edinboro University of Pennsylvania, Edinboro, Pennsylvania.

(1997) - Memphis Theological Seminary, Memphis, TN.

(1996) - North Carolina State University, North Carolina.

(1995) - West Virginia University, Morgantown, West Virginia.

(1994) - Colgate Rochester Divinity School Rochester, New York.

(1993) - Goucher College, Baltimore, Maryland.

(1993) - University of Pittsburgh,Pittsburgh,Pennsylvania.

(1992) - Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts.

(1992) - Moravian College, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.

(1992) - Indiana University of Pennsylvania, Indiana, Pennsylvania.

(1991) - University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut.

(1988) - Immaculata College, Immaculata, Pennsylvania.

(1988) - University of Indianapolis, Indianapolis, Indiana.

(1987) - Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, Ohio.

(1987) - Westminster College, New Wilmington, Pennsylvania.

(1986) - MacMurray College, Jacksonville, Illinois.

(1986) - Drury College, Springfield, Missouri.

(1985) - University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina.

(1985) - Hobart and William Smith, Geneva, New York.

(1984) - Washington and Jefferson College, Washington, Pennsylvania.

(1982) - Slippery Rock State College, Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania.

(1982) - Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

(1982) - Linfield College, McMinnville, Oregon.

(1978) - Waynesburg College, Waynesburg, Pennsylvania.

(1977) - Lafayette College, Easton, Pennsylvania.

(1976) - Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

(1974) - Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut.

(1974) - Rollins College, Winter Park, Florida.

(1973) - Christian Theological Seminary, Indianapolis, Indiana.

(1973) - Saint Vincent's College, Latrobe, Pennsylvania.

(1973) - Eastern Michigan University, Ypsilanti, Michigan.

(1969) - Thiel College, Greenville, Pennsylvania.

 

[Gonzo]

I think the creepiness is the same projection of homophobia and fear of paedophiles as is projected against male daycare workers. IMO it is much more nefarious than cool versus uncool.

A societal rule or meme has formed that men cannot be interested in children unless they are a sexual deviant predator.

Perhaps it is simply the pendulum swinging from the one extreme of fathers being uninvolved in child rearing/nurturing to the confusing state men are currently in of perceiving the demands upon them of being both sensitive and macho at the same time.

I have seen the eyebrows raised towards stay-at-home dads, as if there was something wrong with them and possible deviant. I have also seen people pull their children out of daycares when they hire male child care workers.

This undoubtedly is connected to the concept of all homosexuals are sex crazed paedophiles. And any male that wants to be with children must be gay, therefore a sexual predator.

IMO that is what is behind the "creepy" concept vis a vis Fred Rogers, who I actually enjoyed as a kid in the early 70s until I grew older and found him rather bland and boring, which probably has less to do with his show and more to do with the subtle changes in other television programs that became more exciting but less informative.

My $0.02,
Gonzo

 

[shijing]

This undoubtedly is connected to the concept of all homosexuals are sex crazed paedophiles. And any male that wants to be with children must be gay, therefore a sexual predator.

I think this is probably true. He probably could have done something different with the mailman (Mr. McFeely, who was always coming by to make "speedy deliveries" -- this got satirized by people who probably had the mindset that Gonzo is describing). It's been a long time since I saw Mr. Rogers Neighborhood, but I grew up watching it when I was a little kid, and I don't remember anything that would worry me today. I loved Trolley

 

[Mr. Premise]

I watched it a lot when my oldest was a toddler. At that point it was interspersed with Sesame Street, which got annoying and which seemed to encourage dissociation and ADD. Mister Rogers was nice because he spoke directly to children and told them about the difference between reality and make-believe. At this point (late 80s) with post-modernism and all that, that was very unfashionable, but it was good to emphasize this to very young children.

I even bought a book on child rearing by him that was really good when my younger children were young.

The episode with the gong collection was my favorite.

On a less serious note, as for the gay rumors, all I can say to counter that is the episode where the olympic figure skater Peggy Fleming was a guest. She and Mr. Rogers went skating and let me tell you there was some "chemistry" there! He really seemed to like her.

 

[shellycheval]

Gonzo

A societal rule or meme has formed that men cannot be interested in children unless they are a sexual deviant predator.

I agree with this assessment completely.

Gonzo

IMO that is what is behind the "creepy" concept vis a vis Fred Rogers, who I actually enjoyed as a kid in the early 70s until I grew older and found him rather bland and boring, which probably has less to do with his show and more to do with the subtle changes in other television programs that became more exciting but less informative.

Although I did not watch the show as a child (after my time) I saw enough of it to think it was entirely appropriate for young children and I agree with Gonzo that Fred Rogers was a good influence because he and his show ran counter to the growing psychopathic influences in the media.

Gonzo I think it was you that changed and not the Mr. Roger's show or other television programs. Anything media that is age-appropriate for 5-10 year olds is going to be boring to other age groups. Adults often cannot put themselves back into a mindset of a young child and remember what their desires and fears etc. were at that age.
shellycheval

 

[Nawd]

When we still had TV, Mister Rogers' Neighborhood would still come in on the local PBS station, and one of the few shows I'd put the kids in front of so I could fix breakfast. I also watched him as a child. I always had fun watching him put on his coat. :)

I think people get the 'creepy factor,' because Mr. Rogers would do kind things for kids that no one these days, but a male relative "should' do, like help tie a shoe, walk with them to a neighbor's house, or put on a bandaid.

What is creepy, is a society who thinks men who actually like to teach or help kids (and are not their father, uncle or grandfather) is some sort of devient.

:(

edit: Not that I would allow anyone (female or male) I didn't really know hang out with my kids alone until they are old enough to know that there really ARE terrible creepy people in the world, and often times, they don't look creepy.

 

[Seamus]

I used to watch Mr. Rogers when I was a kid. I can't remember any specific episodes anymore, but his picture brings up some feelings. I feel safe, calm, interested. The other shows I watched were Seasame Street, Transformers and Voltron (kind of like transformers I think). This was when I was 5 or 6 maybe. I can't really remember any of them very well, but my mom told me that I acted like a little wild man after watching Transformers or Voltron, so after a while she didn't let me watch them after a while.

 

[dant]

Just wondering if perhaps in that time-frame, Mr. Rogers did not fit the
male stereotype/persona expected of men around children?

Perhaps the populace were conditioned (shall I say, ponerized?) to expect
a patriarchal driven, "firm-hand", domineering, egotistical, highly subjective
"father" figure best left for the matriarch? So perhaps that is why he is viewed
as abnormal, a homo-phoebe, gay, deviant, and all the negative pejoratives
that can be thrown in as if in disapproval of that male stereotype?

Hmm....

I enjoyed his calm non-condescending approach to children and the use
of puppets are brilliant - in fact - I have used such puppets on my children
in a soft, calm, caring, whimsical way as to form bond of trust and of caring at
the highest levels imagined, and they remembered, and recalled such intimacy
years later, warming both of our hearts.

FWIW,
Dan

 

[Buddy]

Wow. I had no idea that the 'creepy' label had been associated with Mr. Rogers. As a kid, I didn't like or dislike him...I just didn't watch the show because it was too slow-paced and boring. Of course one explanation for that is in the article, but later on in life I just put it down to the producer's 'vision' of what Mr. Rogers should be like.

I can come up with a few possible reasons for the 'creepy' label:

1. Makes me wonder if someone may have had a mild-mannered abuser in their past.

2. Then there's that psychopathic ploy I read about somewhere where a rumor would be spread by someone anonymously in an effort to create concern, doubt or suspicion and then later the fire would be put out publicly in an effort to build trust and confidence in people the psychopath wants to use later.

3. A similar phenomena as Hyatt's version of 'blame the victim' where anyone whose existence disproves the tidy categories of the preferred world view will draw the ire of others:

As Americans our fictions are truths. Have you ever wondered why victims are sometimes blamed even more than the perpetrators? Well, the victim is the residue — proof of the imperfection of society's fictions. Fictions are solutions which don't work except as fictions. Most any set of fictions will do as long as it is accepted as non-fiction.
Victims are fiction—failure. Thus, victims must be paid back for exposing the failure of the fiction.

To Lie Is Human, Christopher S. Hyatt, New Falcon Publications, p.82